login on site

The Australian Writer's Marketplace is your guide to the writing and publishing industry in Australia and beyond. With over two thousand active listings in the our directory, we provide you with every contact you will ever need to succeed in the writing business.

More accusations at UK literary agency PFD

The row at UK literary agency PFD (as reported on Speakeasy, 24th September) rolls on and on with resignations and sackings, new agents being hired (although no names have been confirmed) and authors and actors jumping ship all over the place.

As of last week 23 of the company’s orginal 36 agents had departed or were on their way and accusations were being hurled backwards and forwards in an increasingly frenzied manner. The latest slanging match centres around the alleged payment of excessive commissions and bonuses to a number of the rebel agents earlier this year. David Buchler, the chairman of PFD’s parent company CSS Stellar, has launched an investigation amidst claims that a number of agents soaked up the company’s profits to fund an attempted management buy-out.

Many of the 23 former PFD agents are joining forces to start their own company, United Agents, which is set to launch early next year and reports indicate that an increasing number of their clients are vowing to stand by their ‘man’.

Which surely leaves the future of PFD, one of Europe’s leading and (until now) most respected agencies, in doubt.

ABOUT AWM

The Australian Writer’s Marketplace is Australia and New Zealand’s only guide to the writing industry.

While providing submission and contact details for the print media and publishing industry, it also includes support organisations and information services, a range of writing courses and workshops, literary events and competitions, and services for each stage of the writing, editing and publication process.

First published in 1997 by Rhonda Whitton, Queensland Writers Centre bought the production rights in 2002. Each best-selling print edition has been endorsed by Australian writers like Kate Grenville, Matthew Reilly, John Birmingham, Nick Earls and Tara Moss. Articles include advice from writers, literary agents, editors and industry professionals.